A little more than a century ago, in the rapidly developing United States of America, nearly 1,000 workers died on the job every week, on average. Collapsed mines buried them alive. Bursting steam engines scalded them to death. Pots of molten steel poured over their heads. Whirling saw blades worked loose in lumber mills and turned to shrapnel. Railroad engines crashed. Merchant ships and fishing boats sank in trackless seas.

In the years since then, the number of workplace fatalities has been cut by more than 90%, even as the population of the country has more than tripled. The risk of death on the job today is but a tiny fraction — less than 1/30th — what it was on the warm spring day in 1911 when 146 garment workers died in New York’s notorious Triangle fire.

Bangladesh now rages and mourns at the latest in an appalling string of garment factory disasters. A shoddy building, illegally constructed on swampy ground, collapsed on April 24. After a week of searching the rubble, the death toll had climbed past 400. This, just five months after a fire killed 112 workers in another factory in the capital of Dhaka, spurred thousands of workers to join a May Day protest, which was echoed by marches throughout Asia.

Can these ghastly events become the sort of catalyst for change that the Triangle fire proved to be in the history of American workplace safety? That depends on what lessons are drawn from history. There is a sentimental version of the Triangle fire aftermath. And there is the true version.

When I set out to write a book about the Triangle fire, I often heard the first version: That the deaths of so many workers, most of them young women and girls, in a high-rise fire witnessed by thousands of helpless bystanders so shocked the conscience of New Yorkers that they could not help but push for safer workplaces. All that was needed was for decent people to become aware of working conditions.

But gradually I learned that the lasting impact of the fire at the Triangle Waist Co., New York’s largest manufacturer of women’s blouses — then called “shirtwaists” — had little to do with tender hearts, and everything to do with political power. In the years leading up to the fire, several rising forces took aim at the corrupt political machinery of New York, known as Tammany Hall. At the upper levels of society, there was the reform movement known as Progressivism. This movement overlapped with the surging women’s suffrage campaign. A more uneasy alliance joined both of these with the burgeoning labor movement.

All three came together briefly to support a waistmakers’ strike in 1909, and when fire struck the Triangle factory barely a year later, they came together again. The corrupt Democrats of Tammany Hall could see that their grip on New York was threatened unless they joined the reform bandwagon somehow.

With the blessing of Tammany boss Charles Murphy, two young stalwarts of the machine named Alfred E. Smith and Robert Wagner took up the cause of workplace safety. As their stars rose in national politics (Smith ran for president in 1928; Wagner championed Roosevelt’s New Deal in the U.S. Senate), their cause increasingly became the Democratic party’s cause, and from there it became a shared national priority.

All because it won votes.

To see Bangladeshi workers organizing themselves in protest is a step along this path — but only one. Just as the shirtwaist strikers of 1909 attracted support from some of the most prominent women in America, the workers of Bangladesh will need friends in high places willing to dial up the pressure. More difficult, the government of the country must be steered away from the widespread and casual corruption that allows an obviously unsafe building to be thrown up under the sleepy eyes of paid-off inspectors.

Those fortunate souls who live in countries where the rule of law is robust tend to take its blessings for granted. It is a hallmark of developed societies, and that is no accident. The rule of law unleashes enterprise and productivity by assuring at least a measure of fair play. This makes entire societies richer.

It’s natural to look at the horror in Bangladesh and weigh a vow never to buy another t-shirt sewn in that country. But no one suffers more from a boycott than the impoverished workers for whom even an unsafe job is better than no job at all.

Better to press our retailers, our fashion brands, our investors, and our governments to use their influence — their power — with foreign leaders to promote the idea that corruption is not just a moral problem; it’s bad business. Killing workers is no way to build an economy, nor will a system of bribes and spoils ever lift a nation to lasting prosperity. That’s a message even hard-hearted people can understand, and you need them to get things done.

You probably have read about the more than 1,100 deaths related to the Bangladesh fire than happen several weeks ago at a garment factory. The building itself was in very poor structural condition which led to the building falling apart during the fire and killing its inhabitants. The building was used to produce several lines of clothing for some of the top clothing manufactures in the world. These manufactures are expressing sadness over the loss of lives. These international companies also knew that they were paying very; very low wages to have their clothing lines produced. How did they think they were offered such great deals? They had to know about the conditions at the building. If you are going to be a success in the international market you have to know all the factors involved in making your product. Now with the clothing manufactures running for the hills the local people are going to be hit with massive unemployment, but they are raising the minimum wage from $ 38.00 a month – who knows what luxuries they can now afford?

SUKKUR:
Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain has said that his
party wants Pakistan to progress and develop according to the vision of
Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Dr Muhammad Iqbal.

He was addressing a huge election meeting in Railway Ground Sukkur via telephone.

Altaf
Hussain said that the liberal, democratic and progressive political
parties in Balochistan, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa did not have the
freedom to run their election campaign while conservative parties
supporting Taliban have complete freedom to hold election meetings and
rallies.

He asked if such elections could be called free, fair and transparent.

Altaf said that a conspiracy was being hatched to bring the conservative parties and avowed supporters of Taliban in power.

Altaf
invited the armed forces to join hands with the MQM, ANP and PPP in
combating the elements carrying out bomb blasts and wanting to enforce
baton-wielding Sharia.

“Today, the armed forces of
Pakistan, law-enforcing agencies, and progressive political parties are
facing difficult times. Liberal parties are on the target of barbaric
terrorists. Bomb attacks and firing at the election offices, rallies,
and meetings of the MQM, the ANP and the PPP continue unabated.”

In the end Altaf Hussain announced names of the MQM candidates from Sukkur.

ISLAMABAD:
The deployment of around 70,000 troops of Pakistan Army has been
started all over the country to maintain law and order in aid of the
civil administration during the general elections.

“Our
mandate is to maintain law and order in aid of the civil authorities
under Article 245 of the Constitution during the general elections,”
Major General Asim Saleem Bajwa, DG ISPR, said this while briefing
newsmen about the Pakistan Army’s security plan.

He
maintained that the army troops would be ready to take any action to
bolster security during elections. “The targeted operation of police and
rangers against terrorists is already in progress in Karachi but the
army troops will take any action to bolster security during elections,”
General Bajwa said when asked whether the troops would also target the
terrorists.

He told newsmen that the deployment of army
troops in Balochistan would be completed by midnight on Thursday while
the same activity in Karachi and interior Sindh would start from Friday
(today). “The deployment of troops in the KP province will be completed
within two days while troops will move to their duties in the Punjab
tomorrow,” he said.

The start of deployment of army troops
across the country, which would be completed in the next few days, is
also enough to neutralise any doubts about any delay in the May 11
elections. Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani,
only two days back, made it clear that the general elections would be
held on May 11 and nobody should harbour any suspicion and misgivings
about it.

The military spokesman said the security plan
had been chalked out according to army’s own assessed security threats.
“The security plan, however, can be modified in view of the subsequent
intelligence reports,” General Bajwa said while responding a question.

It
may be pointed out here that during the 2008 elections, around 38,000
army troops were deployed for security duty but this time the strength
had been doubled in view of increased security threats.

He
said that the army troops would act as ‘Quick Response Force’ which
would come into action on need basis adding that 50 helicopters would
also take part in the security exercise, transportation of ballot papers
and other polling materials, etc.

The military spokesman
said that the aircraft of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) would also be used
for deployment of troops and transportation of polling material. “The
staff of Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) will also accompany the
troops during by air or by road transportation of ballot papers and
other polling material,” he said.

General Bajwa pointed
out that the army had been assigned three basic responsibilities
including security at four printing press sites in three cities where
ballot papers were being printed, transportation of ballot papers from
printing press to District Returning Officers and further to the polling
stations.

The printing of ballot papers has already
started on April 19 and the army troops are performing security duties
at all the four printing press sites.

MQM workers being targeted-killed: Altaf Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) Chief Altaf Hussain said an attempt is being made to push the party out of electoral process through bombings.Condemning the killings of two party workers overnight in Hyderabad, Altaf Hussain noted the entire Pakistan should see as to how the Muttahida’s workers are being targeted-killed.The MQM chief asserted the caretaker government is doing nothing for security of the political activities; meanwhile, political parties also continue to demonstrate silence and an indifferent attitude over these gory incidents.KARACHI - Targeted killing claimed the lives of three MQM activists in the city on Monday. The MQM workers were heading somewhere, when unidentified gunmen opened fire at their car near Monday Bazaar held at Sector 5-D, North Karachi. As a result, Shoaib, Bilal and an unidentified MQM worker were fatally wounded. They were ferried to the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, but doctors there pronounced them dead upon arrival. Police were trying to ascertain the motive behind the attack. According to sources, the car in which the three men were sitting belonged to MQM senior worker’s brother and former member APMSO Hyder. Following the incident, all commercial activities were suspended in North Karachi that remained tensed until the filing of this report.

MQM workers being targeted-killed: Altaf Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) Chief Altaf Hussain said an attempt is
being made to push the party out of electoral process through bombings.Condemning the killings of two party workers overnight in Hyderabad,
Altaf Hussain noted the entire Pakistan should see as to how the
Muttahida’s workers are being targeted-killed.The MQM chief asserted
the caretaker government is doing nothing for security of the political
activities; meanwhile, political parties also continue to demonstrate
silence and an indifferent attitude over these gory incidents.KARACHI - Targeted killing claimed the lives of three MQM activists in
the city on Monday. The MQM workers were heading somewhere, when
unidentified gunmen opened fire at their car near Monday Bazaar held at
Sector 5-D, North Karachi. As a result, Shoaib, Bilal and an
unidentified MQM worker were fatally wounded. They were ferried to the
Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, but doctors there pronounced them dead upon
arrival. Police were trying to ascertain the motive behind the
attack. According to sources, the car in which the three men were
sitting belonged to MQM senior worker’s brother and former member APMSO
Hyder. Following the incident, all commercial activities were suspended
in North Karachi that remained tensed until the filing of this report.

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ral Interior Minister Rehman Malik has said that around 9
culprits involved in targeted killings have been identified. During a
joint press briefing with Sindh Home Minister Zulfiqar Mirza, Rehman
said that police have nabbed as many as 195 persons during a crackdown
against those perpetrating targeted killings. Malik said the
shoot-at-sight orders have been issued in the city and lauded Sindh
Police performance despite limited resources. He said the provincial
government has constituted a special task force to check the killings.
Sindh Home Minister Zulfiqar Mirza said the police have arrested 195
persons for involvement in firing and other violent incidents.
Mohajir Qaumi Movement-Haqiqi (MQM-H) chairman Afaq Ahmed said Monday he
is in contact with the former Sindh Home Minister Zulfiqar Mirza,
adding he (Mirza) has made a lot of efforts for peace in Karachi.Talking to media here
in Karachi, he said Karachi is turned into a no-go area for all
political parties. Afaq has been indicted Monday in a murder case."None
of cases against me were abolished under National Reconciliation
Ordinance (NRO); but the cases against Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM)
chief Altaf Hussain and Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan were
annulled," he said."Cases against as many as 37,000 people were condoned under the NRO," he added.Hitting
out at the government for leaving its coalition partners unleashed,
Afaq said Altaf Hussain has set up a state within state; however, he
stressed the military operations will not resolve the issue; instead,
the political governments should restore the peace."I will appear
before the Supreme Court (SC) in connection with a contempt petition,"
he said, adding he is not scheduled to call on President Asif Ali
Zardari or Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani; however, meetings with
political people may happen.Afaq said, "peace is unlikely to get
roots if law is used to protect your aides," adding at present, there
are politically appointed people at all police stations of Karachi.
NOTE HE IS PARTNERS PML-N 19 JUNE 1992?

The situation is not very different in Karachi and elsewhere from the
days when Nawaz was in power twice between 1989-1999.He sent Altaf
abroad rather than make him face the justice.Altaf was given a ride to
the Karachi airport for boarding the plane to Britain where he managed
to form MQM and got British citizenship.

Nawaz vows to bring peace in Karachi
19JUNE1992 ARMY OPERATION IN KARACHI PEOPLE OF KARACHI AGANST IN ANTI URDU PEOPLE IREQUEST TO ALL URDU PEOPLE NOT VOTE CAST FOR PML-N?Talking to newsmen at Karachi airport on Thursday‚ he said leaders and
workers of his party are also facing terrorism‚ but certain elements are
making false propaganda in this regard.Nawaz Sharif also pledged to
build underground railway system in Karachi besides connecting the port
city with rest of the country through motorway.He said that he does not think the PPP will get votes in the elections.The PML-N leader said some people are misleading the nation by making false propaganda against PML-N.Nawaz Sharif said that the PML-N will eliminate violence, poverty, load shedding, joblessness and other problems from Karachi.He said whether he gets vote or not from Karachi, he would serve the city.PML-N chief said that the terrorism can only be eliminated from the country through transparent elections.He also promised to construct underground railway system in Karachi besides connecting the city with Lahore through Motorway.President, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Nawaz Sharif claimed
that if voted to power‚ his party will establish peace in Karachi by
eliminating militant wings of political parties.

KARACHI - Awami
National Party Sindh President Shahi Syed on Wednesday said that he had
good relation with MQM-Haqiqi Chairman Afaq Ahmed and ready to work with
all the political forces for peace in the City.Talking to the media
outside the local hospital after inquiring the health of injured Awami
National Party workers, he underlined the need of joint efforts for
maintaining peace of Karachi and to eliminate the conspiracies of
criminals.Meanwhile, Sindh Home Minister Manzoor Wassan called on
Senator Shahi Syed at his residence and congratulated him over his
success in senate election.Shahi demanded immediate arrest of the target killers involved in the killing of Awami National Party workers. Moreover,
a delegation of Hazara Community led by Karachi Transport Ittehad
Chairman Irshad Bukhari called on the newly-elected senator Shahi Syed
at his residence. They assured him of full cooperation of Hazara community for the peace of Karachi.

ANP President Sindh, Senator Shahi Syed Sunday said his party believed
and engaged in the politics of principles and urged the nation to crush
the mindset that promotes a culture of guns. "We are not competing
against MQM, as we are practical followers of Bacha Khan and Ahmed Shah
Abdali," Shahi Syed said while addressing a public rally here at
Keamari. He said his party pursues the philosophy of non-violence as
preached by Bacha Khan. "If we take up arms, it will negate the
philosophy of Bacha Khan," he added. Shahi Syed appealed to the Pakistan
People's Party (PPP) to stop subjecting Pakhtuns to discrimination,
adding 'we had joined PPP for strengthening the democracy'. He paid
tribute to the Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry for the Supreme
Court's judgments.

in Karachi.
Addressing a public meeting here in Karachi on Monday, Shahi Syed said
that dialogue was the only way for peaceful resolution of political
problems and crises could not be resolved through force.
He said that without flushing out the firearms, dreams of making Karachi
a peaceful city again, could not be materialized.
The ANP Sindh President was of the view that military operation like
Swat and Buner- were the need of the hour to defeat terrorists.
He requested the Chief Justice of Pakistan, Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry
to take suo motu notice of the target killings in Karachi, saying that
the families of the victims must be compensated. He also demanded the
re-opening of May 12 case when the roads of Karachi were stained with
blood of innocent people.

KARACHI - Awami
National Party Sindh chief and Senator, Shahi Syed has said that handful
of terrorists were ruining the peace of the country.He said that
the Taliban had targeted secular and liberal political parties by
attacking their elections offices, killing a number of political
activists who were busy in election activities.He said that such
attacks had restricted liberal parties from campaigning openly while
other political parties are running their election campaigns freely in
the City.Syed stated this during a joint press conference along with
leaders of Muttahida Quami Movement and Pakistan Peoples Party at the
ANP’s Headquarters in Karachi on Wednesday.He added that the Taliban
have planned to eliminate three secular parties from the election
processes to provide an open field to other parties that will lead them
in the assemblies. “But our leadership has decided to continue its work
to deal with the terrorism until the terrorists have been brought to
justice and people also have to decide whether they are with Taliban or
moderate and liberal forces of the Pakistan,” he said.Addressing the
press conference, MQM Deputy Convener Farooq Sattar said it was good
gesture for the people of sindh, especially Karachi that the PPP, ANP
and MQM were sitting together to formulate a strategy at the time when
country was facing challenges.Sattar added that if the political
parities did not condemn the terrorism and gave passage to the
pro-Taliban segment to hijack the election then the government formed
after the election will produce the democratic failure in the country.
He said that Election Commission of Pakistan and interim government had
not shown serious concerns over the threats of Taliban to the three
political parties by stopping them to carry out their election campaign
freely. He said that other political segments were running their
campaign freely as they had no threat from Taliban although they denied
their connection with Taliban in the past. He said that the LEAs
stood silent on the situation and demanded that the all the institutions
should play their role to fulfill their responsibilities for holding
clear and transparent election.He further stated that election
activities had only been witnessed in Punjab and it seemed that election
was talking place only there. Speaking on the occasion PPP’s Rehman
Malik paid tributes to the political workers who lost lives by standing
against pro-Taliban segments.Malik urged that all political forces
should unite against the Taliban as there aim is to destabilize the
Pakistan and damaged the nuclear assets of the country.Welcoming
army chief’s current statement, he said that no one had condemned
killing of the soldiers who are fighting against the terrorism. Bashir
Jan, Jonah Buner, Raza Haroon, Dr Sagheer Ahmed Najmi Alam were also
present on the occasion.

Nawaz supports Kayani, not Haqqani TERENCE J SIGAMONYISLAMABAD
- Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani has submitted
his rejoinder to the Supreme Court, insisting that the ‘memo is a
reality’ and an attempt to lower the morale of Pakistan’s armed forces.PML-N
chief Nawaz Sharif, who also submitted his reply along with Ishaq Dar,
Ghaus Ali Shah and other petitioners, marinated that whatever he had
stated and presented in the court was ‘all correct’. He said that he
supports Gen Kayani’s statement and Mansoor Ijaz’s reply but rejects
Haqqani’s statement.ISI DG Lt-Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha, who filed his
reply late night, also stood by his earlier statement that their was
undeniable evidence of a conspiracy against the army and the country and
the matter should be probed thoroughly.The federal government, in
their rejoinder, repeated that the President and the PM have no link
with the memo issue, while challenging again the Supreme Court’s
authority to hear the case. The defence ministry said in its rejoinder
that in the memo case, the court should not involve or include Husain
Haqqani, the main accused in the case, and Mansoor Ijaz, the man who
stocked the whole controversy.The apex court had asked all the
petitioners and respondents including, President, PM, COAS, ISI DG and
others, to submit their rejoinders along with affidavits for the hearing
of the memo case. Almost all have submitted their replies, but
President Zardari has so far failed to comply with the court order.In
the last hearing, the chief justice told the AGP that no reply in a
civil case means acceptance of guilt. Sources said that President
Zardari would not file his statement on memo case and the government
would stick to its previous stance that it had submitted reply on behalf
of the president.Talking to media, Attorney General of Pakistan
(AGP) Maulvi Anwarul Haq said that Gen Kayani’s rejoinder had been
submitted to the court. The AGP said that COAS stood firm on his
previous stance in the rejoinder. In an affidavit submitted in the
court, Kayani said that all his earlier statements were based on facts
and nothing had been kept hidden from the court.In his rejoinder the
army chief said that memo issue was about the national security and it
was an attempt to lower the morale of army. The COAS also held that the
reports regarding the memogate are correct and evidence is available of
the contacts made in the context of the conspiracy.“There is nothing
denying the fact that the memo exists and it is also admitted to have
been delivered and received by the US authorities. Therefore, there may
be a need to fully examine the facts and circumstances leading to the
conception and issuance of the Memo,“ he writes. The COAS further stated
the memo episode “has an impact on national security and lowers the
morale of Pakistan Army whose young officers and soldiers are laying
down their lives for the security and defence of territorial integrity
and political independence and sovereignty of Pakistan”.The
federation, in its rejoinder, repeated that the President Zardari and
Prime Minister Gilani have nothing to do with the memo issue, ruling out
that President Zardari was the originator of this memo. It again
objected the Supreme Court jurisdiction to hear the memo scandal case
under Article 184 (3) of the Constitution.According to the sources,
President Zardari will not file his concise statement on memo scandal
case and the government would take stand on its previous stance that it
had submitted reply on behalf of the president.Nawaz Sharif in his
rejoinder said that he had not sought stoppage of an inquiry being held
by the parliament or administration, adding that in the same way
parliament and administration could also not stop the court to play its
constitutional role. He said that his petition was maintainable under
article 184 of the constitution.Sharif, in his affidavit, wrote that
the issue should be investigated because whatever said and written on
the issue was ‘all correct’. The PML-N chief further said that he did
not file the petition in SC under any political agenda.Nawaz
Sharif’s rejoinder says the reluctance on part of all the governmental
functionaries concerned to seek resolution of an issue which has struck
at the very roots of our state is rather enigmatic and the reaction of
the respondent 1 and 2 to the said issue is no exception.It was
reiterated that the petitioner never prayed that the Parliament or the
executive be restrained from doing their bit in the matter in question
nor the honourable court restrained them from exercising the authority
resting in them vis-à-vis the said matter. The PML-N chief re-emphasised
that the Parliament or the executive having, allegedly, taken
cognisance of the said issue creates no bar on the court of law in the
matter of discharging their constitutional or legal obligations. It was
denied that the petition under Article 184(3) of the constitution was
not maintainable. PML-N leaders also supported the reply of Mansoor
Ijaz.Talking to media men at Supreme Court building, AGP Maulvi
Anwarul mentioned that parliament and executive could not stop the
proceedings of the Supreme Court on the memogate case.Barrister
Zafarullah in his rejoinder to the affidavit of James Logan Jones said
that his affidavit requires to be proved through cross-examination of
James Jones and Husain Haqqani in the court to determine his affidavit’s
veracity. He emphasised that his petition is based on fundamental
rights and maintainable in the court.The court will take up the memo
case today (Thursday). Asma Jahangir will appear on behalf of the main
respondent Husain Haqqani and will also argue his miscellaneous
application seeking recalling of the court’s Dec 1 order in ‘memo’ case.
For the proper court decorum and smooth functioning, security measures
have been taken at the premises of the Supreme Court. Entry of
irrelevant persons shall not be allowed and no cellphone shall be
allowed to be carried inside the courtroom.

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, while
addressing a gathering on the eve of Youm-e-Shuhada at the GHQ in
Islamabad, threw unqualified military support behind the democratic
process in the country and ensured that the polls will be held on May
11. General Kayani said: “I assure you that we are committed to
wholeheartedly assist and support the conduct of free, fair and peaceful
elections; to the best of our capabilities and remaining within the
confines of the constitution. I also assure you that this support shall
solely be aimed at strengthening democracy and rule of law in the
country.” Such a strong and unequivocal support coming from the COAS
is not only a reassuring development, in regard to the doubts being
expressed about the holding of the elections, in the backdrop of
increased terrorist acts targeting political parties, but also reflects a
marked change of attitude in the higher echelons of the army about
democracy being a panacea to all the ills afflicting Pakistan’s
political and social fabric. General Kayani’s credentials as a
supporter of the democratic process are beyond reproach and amply
reinforced by the restraint that the army has exhibited in the past five
years, making it possible for a smooth and peaceful transition of power
for the first time in the history of Pakistan.Further, he rightly
took a swipe at those who were trying to belittle the sacrifices of the
armed forces and law enforcement agencies in the war on terror by
repeatedly terming it somebody else’s war. Honestly speaking,
irrespective of the fact how Pakistan got embroiled in this war and who
is responsible for it, the scourge of terrorism poses an existentialist
threat to the country and now it is very much our war. A handful of
minority has taken up arms against the state to enforce their brand of
Islam in the country, challenging the writ of the state and everything
it stands for, including democracy. Our armed forces have, undoubtedly,
rendered unprecedented sacrifices to defend Pakistan against this threat
and their efforts deserve the nation’s unqualified gratitude and
support. Those who think otherwise are, consciously or unconsciously,
strengthening the hands of the state’s enemies. Anyway, the Supreme
Court has also repeatedly expressed its determination to ensure that
the elections will be held on time. Recently, the Chief Justice
reiterated this stance during the hearing of a case pertaining to
electoral reforms by saying: “Come what may, the elections will not be
delayed.” In the same vein, the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC)
has been maintaining that the polls will not be delayed even by a single
day, while the caretaker setup, despite all odds and threats, too has
expressed its resolve to accomplish the task peacefully. Another
landmark development is the 40-page edict issued by the All Pakistan
Ulema Council (APUC), clarifying the significance of voting in the light
of Islamic teachings and terming the casting of vote a religious duty
of every Muslim. The edict’s contents bear the stamp of endorsement by
the Holy Quran. The Holy Quran while emphasising the rewards that
await the believers in the world hereafter, identifies those who will
qualify for them in Surah Al-Shura (42:59) in these words: “Those who
obey God, establish prayer and settle their affairs through a process of
consultation.” So one of the attributes of the believers is their
belief in deciding matters among themselves, especially those relating
to governance through a broader consensus, i.e. in a democratic way.
This shows that Islam, while asserting the sovereignty of God over the
entire universe, also puts faith in the ingenuity and sagacity of the
human beings in managing their worldly affairs through their collective
wisdom. That, indeed, is the essence of democracy. Further, the
Surah refers to the believers as a whole and makes no distinction among
them on the basis of gender, which implies that even the womenfolk can
participate in the consultative process through exercising their right
to vote. It is a recorded history that when the Holy Prophet (pbuh) laid
down the foundation of a Muslim state in Medinah, the women owed
allegiance to him (Bait). In a way, this was an expression of faith in
the leadership of the Prophet (pbuh), which is akin to the modern system
of voting in choosing the public representatives. Similar evidence is
also available in choosing the Caliphs. As a final word, these
are very encouraging signs and leave no room for anybody to doubt about
the elections and democracy not being in line with the spirit of Islam.
However, the success of the elections depends on the voters’
participation in the electoral process. Indeed, the people, who along
with the armed forces, have suffered immensely due to terrorism will
have to stand up to their tormentors for the country’s integrity no
matter what it costs. The writer is a freelance columnist.

It would've been of immense help if the author had provided a list of companies - or a link to similar - that we could contact to press the case of "persuading" their suppliers to promote worker safety in the name of "good business." How do I find out who does business in India? Who's retailing the blood clothing of those doomed workers?

@evil.aaronm WHy India? This incident occurred in Bangladesh, a different country. That's not to say that similar attidues may exist in India, but that is a country that has Rule of Law. Bangladesh does not.

@fitty_three@gysgt213 Do you know if the laws in Bangladesh would allow for such a sentence? And what did his engineers say aoub the structural integrity of the building at that point? If he followed their advice, then why is to blame?

You are talking about another country, and another country's legal system. Do not judge it by your own, because it's simply inapplicable.